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Healthy Turkey Chili: Easy Game Day Recipe

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A quick and hearty turkey chili that’s perfect for game day, made with lean ground turkey, beans, and bold spices. This crowd-pleasing recipe comes together in under 45 minutes and is packed with protein and fiber.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 large yellow onion, diced (about 1.5 cups)
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 pounds ground turkey (93% lean)
  • 2 tablespoons chili powder
  • 1 tablespoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 can (14.5 oz) fire-roasted diced tomatoes
  • 1 can (14.5 oz) crushed tomatoes
  • 2 cans (15 oz each) kidney beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
  • 1 tablespoon tomato paste
  • Fresh cilantro, chopped (for garnish)
  • Greek yogurt or sour cream (for garnish)
  • Shredded cheddar cheese (for garnish)
  • Diced avocado (for garnish)
  • Lime wedges (for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Prep your ingredients first: dice the onion, mince the garlic, drain and rinse both cans of beans, and open the cans of tomatoes.
  2. Heat the olive oil in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat. When the oil shimmers (about 30 seconds), add the diced onion. Cook for 4-5 minutes until translucent and starting to brown at the edges.
  3. Add the minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  4. Add the ground turkey to the pot. Break it up with a wooden spoon into small crumbles. Cook for 6-8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the turkey is no longer pink. Let it sit undisturbed for the last 2 minutes to develop browned bits on the bottom of the pot.
  5. Add all the spices — chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, oregano, cayenne (if using), salt, and pepper. Stir well and cook for 1 minute to toast the spices.
  6. Stir in the tomato paste and cook for another minute.
  7. Pour in the fire-roasted diced tomatoes (with their juices) and the crushed tomatoes. Stir to combine, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot.
  8. Add the chicken broth and bring the mixture to a gentle boil. Then reduce the heat to low and let it simmer.
  9. While the chili simmers, prepare the beans. Take half of the kidney beans and half of the black beans and place them in a bowl. Mash them with a fork or use an immersion blender until you have a chunky paste.
  10. Add all the beans — both the whole beans and the mashed bean paste — to the pot. Stir well to incorporate.
  11. Let the chili simmer uncovered for 20-25 minutes, stirring occasionally. Taste after 15 minutes and adjust salt and spices to preference.
  12. Remove from heat and let it rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

For a thicker chili, let it simmer uncovered for an additional 10-15 minutes. For a spicier version, add a diced jalapeño with the onions or use hot chili powder. This chili freezes well for up to 3 months.

Nutrition

Keywords: turkey chili, healthy chili, game day chili, easy chili, lean chili, ground turkey recipe

Find it online: https://sparklespoon.com/healthy-turkey-chili-easy-game-day-recipe/